Beyond the Keys: Music and Stories of Inspiration is a luminous blend of memoir, music, and art, offering 52 reflections—each paired with a piano performance and artwork—that celebrate creativity, resilience, and the healing power of beauty. Author Jeeyoon Kim talks to Book Glow about the book.

Beyond the Keys is such a unique creation—part book, part concert, part art gallery. What first inspired you to bring together words, music, and visual art in one work?

Beyond the Keys: Music and Stories of Inspiration is a luminous blend of memoir, music, and art, offering 52 reflections—each paired with a piano performance and artwork—that celebrate creativity, resilience, and the healing power of beauty. Author Jeeyoon Kim talks to Book Glow about the book.

The inspiration came from my desire to share the full spectrum of how I experience and interpret life as a pianist. Writing has always been a natural extension of how I process the world, and music is, of course, the heart of what I do. Adding visual art to the mix felt like a natural evolution — art has the power to capture emotions and subtleties that words and music sometimes can’t. By combining all three, I wanted to offer readers a more immersive and multi-sensory journey — one that mirrors how I see beauty in everyday life. My hope was that each element would enhance the others and invite people to engage with the reflections on a deeper, more personal level.

Each of the 52 chapters is paired with a piano performance and artwork. How did you decide which piece of music and which artwork best complemented each reflection?

The process was both intuitive and thoughtful. I would start with the essay itself — the mood, the message, the emotional landscape — and then look for a piece of music that spoke the same language. Sometimes the connection was obvious; other times, I’d try different pieces until one truly resonated with the reflection. The artwork was a similar process. I often had specific pieces in mind, but availability and collaboration sometimes shaped the final selection. It was a journey of patience and trust — and often the fifth choice ended up being the most perfect match. In the end, I wanted each trio — essay, music, and art — to feel like a harmonious conversation.

Just as a piano has 52 white keys, your book has 52 essays. Can you share what that symbolism means to you?

It wasn’t intentional at first. As I compiled the essays, I realized there were 52 of them, which immediately felt significant. Beyond the connection to the 52 white keys on a piano, the number also reflects natural cycles — like the 52 weeks in a year or the cards in a deck. It made me think of the book as a kind of journey that unfolds slowly over time. I love the idea that readers might take one reflection per week, savoring it at their own pace, letting it guide them through the year — just like how each key on the piano contributes to the larger music of life.

You’ve described this book as something not only to read but to feel, hear, and see. How do you hope this sensory experience will affect readers?

I hope it invites them to slow down and be present. We live in such a fast-paced, distraction-filled world, and I think music and art have this magical ability to ground us — to pull us into the moment. When you read a reflection while listening to music and contemplating a piece of art, you’re engaging multiple senses, which makes the experience more profound and memorable. My hope is that readers will not just consume the book but feel it — and perhaps rediscover the beauty of being still, even if only for a few minutes.

Many of the stories explore resilience, growth, and positivity. Was there a particular moment in your own life when these themes became especially important to you?

There were many. One of the most defining was when I moved to San Diego after finishing my doctorate. I had no friends, no job, no money, and I was navigating life after a divorce. It was one of those moments when every door felt closed, and I had to choose — optimism or despair. Music became my anchor and my strength. Even earlier, during high school, my parents’ divorce turned my world upside down, and once again, music was where I found stability. Losing loved ones and facing professional setbacks also taught me that resilience isn’t something we’re born with — it’s something we build. Through those experiences, I’ve learned that even in darkness, there’s always an opportunity for growth and new beginnings.

As a South Korean immigrant and now an established concert pianist in the U.S., how has your personal journey shaped the way you approach both music and writing?

My journey has taught me humility, patience, and the importance of connection. Navigating a new culture and building a life from the ground up wasn’t easy, but those challenges deepened my empathy and broadened my perspective. In both music and writing, I’m always searching for ways to connect — to tell stories that resonate beyond language or background. I think my perspective as someone who’s lived between cultures helps me find beauty in the shared human experience, and that sensitivity shapes everything I create.

The book’s artwork is striking and varied. What was the collaborative process like with the contemporary artists whose work appears alongside your writing?

It was a journey of discovery and patience. Many of the artists were people I had admired from afar, following their work for years. Initially, I wasn’t sure if they’d be interested, and reaching out felt a bit like applying for something with no guarantee. I received plenty of “no’s” or no responses at all. But over time, I built a list of alternatives, and often the fifth or sixth choice turned out to be the most perfect fit. Every time an artist agreed to collaborate, it felt like a small victory. Seeing all 52 artworks alongside my writing and music in the final book was incredibly rewarding — it felt like a true celebration of shared creativity.

Some readers describe the book as helping them “slow down in the best way.” Why do you think music and art have this power to bring stillness in such a busy world?

Because they engage us fully. Music and art require presence — they invite us to pause and pay attention. In a world where we’re constantly multitasking and moving quickly, that invitation is rare and precious. When you really listen to a piece of music or stand before a work of art, you stop time for a moment. You breathe. You feel. And in that space, you often find clarity, peace, or inspiration you didn’t know you needed.

You’ve also written Whenever You’re Ready, which offered a concert-style self-help structure. How does Beyond the Keys build upon or differ from that first book?

Whenever You’re Ready: How to Compose a Life of Dreams was my first book and a more structured self-help guide. It was written over a shorter period and focused on offering gentle suggestions about mindfulness, creativity, and living with intention. Beyond the Keys is different — it’s more organic, a collection of essays written over four years from my biweekly newsletter. It’s also more immersive, combining music and art to create a multi-sensory experience. While the first book was about composing a dream life, Beyond the Keys is about reflecting on the journey itself — its beauty, its challenges, and everything in between.

Your career has included multimedia projects, podcasts, international concerts, and now books. What connects all these creative outlets for you?

The common thread is connection. My passion for classical music and storytelling drives everything I do. Whether it’s performing on stage, writing, recording a podcast, or creating a book, my goal is always to build a bridge between myself and the audience — to share the beauty and meaning I’ve received from music and life. I never strive for originality for its own sake. Creativity is a natural byproduct of a genuine desire to connect, and each medium is just another way of sharing that love.

You’ve said your mission as a pianist is to create a bridge between audiences and music. How do you see this book expanding that bridge beyond the concert hall?

The book allows me to deepen that connection in a way concerts alone can’t. During performances, I offer a glimpse into my world, but the book opens the door fully — sharing my thoughts, struggles, and joys in a more intimate way. For those who may never attend a concert, the book offers alternative ways to experience the music, including digital performances via QR codes. And for those who do attend, it serves as a gentle invitation to explore classical music more deeply. Ultimately, it helps make music feel more familiar, accessible, and personal.

What do you hope readers carry with them after finishing Beyond the Keys?

I hope they feel inspired and a little stronger, knowing they’re not alone in their journey. I hope they find healing and beauty through art and music and are encouraged to pause, reflect, and appreciate the world around them. Maybe they’ll feel motivated to attend a concert, write their own reflections, or simply linger longer in a gallery. At its heart, the book is an invitation to slow down and reconnect with what truly matters.

And finally, what’s next for you—musically, artistically, or in writing?

I’m thrilled to be launching a new concert project and album called Radiance, which features Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition paired with 17 artworks from 10 countries. We just premiered it in San Diego, and I plan to tour with it across the U.S. and hopefully internationally. I’ll also continue writing my biweekly newsletter, Behind the Keys, and exploring new ways to connect with audiences through music, writing, and teaching. I’m excited for this next chapter — it feels like a continuation of everything I love.

Visit our Reading Essentials section to discover the best bookshelves, reading chairs, book lights for reading at night, and more!

Receive top book recommendations directly in your inbox.